How long of a leash will Hunt have this year?

[Fjoinkay]

of course

I like that Lester and HCSS both played QB. I trust their judgment about the QB.

 

[RF2044]

Of course coaches have to make decisions based on their opinions. My point is that the idea that Hunt gives the team the best chance to win is less of a certainty than people are willing to acknowledge.

I'm not trying to be argumentative, but that seems like some pretty fine hair splitting. Long is injured, and possibly undersized. Wilson hasn't done much when given opportunities. Dungey is a true freshman, who has just completed his third week of practice at the collegiate level.

Hunt has won a bowl game, and has a significantly greater amount of game experience than any of the others [Hunt has flaws, too, which I readily acknowledge].

But it isn't a stretch by any objective criteria to suggest that Hunt gives the team the best chance to win this year. The question wasn't "who has the most long term potential?," or "which QB prospect has the best shot of playing in the NFL?," or "will either Long / Dungey / Culpepper be better than Hunt when they are at the same stage of their careers?"

I don't see how anyone could look at the group of QBs we have in the fold this year and not rationally conclude that Hunt gives the team the best chance to win games and get back to a bowl.

 

[donniesyracuse]

I don't see how anyone could look at the group of QBs we have in the fold this year and not rationally conclude that Hunt gives the team the best chance to win games and get back to a bowl.

There are certainly reasons for the coaches and fans to assume Hunt is the best QB for this year. I am inclined to believe the same, but I feel plenty of doubt. One reason I am open to believing Hunt is not the best option, is because he has not been great in his two years as a starter. He has had his moments, but another QB would not have to be all that good to be better than what Hunt has been (particularly the Hunt of 2014). I have high hopes that a new offense and another year of experience will make Hunt better this year, but I also think it's possible we will see the same inconsistency that has generally made him a mediocre QB.

 

[RF2044]

There are certainly reasons for the coaches and fans to assume Hunt is the best QB for this year. I am inclined to believe the same, but I feel plenty of doubt. One reason I am open to believing Hunt is not the best option, is because he has not been great in his two years as a starter. He has had his moments, but another QB would not have to be all that good to be better than what Hunt has been (particularly the Hunt of 2014). I have high hopes that a new offense and another year of experience will make Hunt better this year, but I also think it's possible we will see the same inconsistency that has generally made him a mediocre QB.

But again, whether he can be more than just a mediocre QB is not what we're discussing. He could be mediocre [in the new offense] and still be the best QB on the team, possibly even by a long shot.

I agree fundamentally with the rest of your post.

 

[donniesyracuse]

But again, whether he can be more than just a mediocre QB is not what we're discussing. He could be mediocre [in the new offense] and still be the best QB on the team, possibly even by a long shot.

It is possible that someone could be better than mediocre. We have no way of knowing at this point. Mediocre isn't all that high of a bar.

 

[RF2044]

It is possible that someone could be better than mediocre. We have no way of knowing at this point. Mediocre isn't all that high of a bar.

Possible, but unlikely given that: Long is injured, Wilson is a turnover machine who doesn't seem like a great fit for the new offense, and Dungey is a true frosh--and we know how exceedingly difficult it is for true frosh to effectively play the QB position.

Long term, when some of those guys [including Culpepper] are at the same respective spot on their developmental curves that Hunt currently is, I think it is very likely that one or more of them will prove to be better than Hunt is right now [we'd better hope so, anyway]. But this season? I have a very difficult time envisioning any of those currently on the roster as being better than mediocre, to say nothing of being as ready as Hunt is to perform at a higher level than mediocre.

Again, not trying to be argumentative--but I think you're blending two separate questions.

 

[jekelish]

there is no leash

Agree with this. If he's healthy, he's going to be on the field. He's the football version of Trevor Cooney.

 

[donniesyracuse]

Again, not trying to be argumentative--but I think you're blending two separate questions.

No, I think we are on the same page. I guess I don't think it would be that big of a stretch for any QB to reach Hunt's level of mediocrity. I don't think Long was that far from it last season and it sounds like Dungey brings more to the table than him.

 

[SUFaninNJ]

He'll have the entire year barring injury.

 

[RF2044]

No, I think we are on the same page. I guess I don't think it would be that big of a stretch for any QB to reach Hunt's level of mediocrity. I don't think Long was that far from it last season and it sounds like Dungey brings more to the table than him.

Regardless, not worth "arguing" [not that we were] over.

Go Orange!

 

[SUbear]

I think Dungey will get the nod if Hunt is truly struggling. In reality, however, I'm not expecting anybody besides Hunt at QB, barring injury of course.

Dungey has looked really good in practice.

No one seems to have noticed that Wilson has made great strides this year in getting bigger and stronger. My bet is on him to be the main back up behind Hunt. Wilson has long been a pretty good passer.
Dungey will not be used unless Hunt and Wilson are both unavailable in my opinion, but next year may be a different story.
Long has been injured and probably will not see the feild this year unless we are in dire straights.

 

[KaiserUEO]

No, I think we are on the same page. I guess I don't think it would be that big of a stretch for any QB to reach Hunt's level of mediocrity. I don't think Long was that far from it last season and it sounds like Dungey brings more to the table than him.

to that end, what if things 'slow down' for wilson??

its not like he completed 25% of his passes, he was over 50%.

hes got the size and the arm strength, so...

 

[donniesyracuse]

to that end, what if things 'slow down' for wilson??

its not like he completed 25% of his passes, he was over 50%.

hes got the size and the arm strength, so...

That would be great, but I have nothing nice to say about how he looked in games last year. I suppose it is possible that a light bulb magically goes off. I guess it happens, although I cannot think of a historical Syracuse QB example.

 

[KevMonstah]

I am in the camp that believes Hunt has proven to be an absolutely mediocre QB. I will again
defer to McAllister's review: "Going into camp ... deep throws are still inconsistent ... short
throws are solid but could get better ... accuracy is still a concern ... touch on deep balls is
getting better, but still needs work." None of that fills you full of confidence for the 5th year
starting QB.

But I also don't see how at this time you could replace him with either Wilson or Dungey.
The offense they are putting in place favors the more mobile QB, not the better passer. With
the QBs they have, you have to conclude that Long would be a better backup than those two,
at least for this year. They don't have enough time to practice two wholly different offenses
for two distinct styles of QBs. The leash is probably long enough where "you'll play as long
as you aren't tossed, hurt, or up/down by 4 TDs".

As far as true freshmen go, UCLA is preseason ranked #13, and just turned it over to a true frosh,
so if that school is willing to do it, if SU has someone more talented, I'd hope they would say
"talent" over "loyalty to player", even with their "family atmosphere". I will grant you that Josh
Rosen has more ability than SU's options.

Kev

 

[KaiserUEO]

That would be great, but I have nothing nice to say about how he looked in games last year. I suppose it is possible that a light bulb magically goes off. I guess it happens, although I cannot think of a historical Syracuse QB example.

there is no historical Syracuse QB example for sure.

but there are bookloads of national QB examples that show it can be done...except in a Dome, with ideal playing conditions...on field turf. :bang: :bang: :bang:

 

[OttoMets]

There are certainly reasons for the coaches and fans to assume Hunt is the best QB for this year. I am inclined to believe the same, but I feel plenty of doubt. One reason I am open to believing Hunt is not the best option, is because he has not been great in his two years as a starter. He has had his moments, but another QB would not have to be all that good to be better than what Hunt has been (particularly the Hunt of 2014). I have high hopes that a new offense and another year of experience will make Hunt better this year, but I also think it's possible we will see the same inconsistency that has generally made him a mediocre QB.

I like Hunt and strongly hope he has a career-best season, but not only do I understand what you're saying, I've heard observations (from within the program) that suggest that your highlighted text isn't just crazy talk.

But hopefully these is all summertime hand-wringing and second-hand observation/speculation that's put to rest in two or three weeks.

 

[CanadianSU]

No leash,,, he won't be great, he won't be bad.

 

[Scooch]

This debate doesn't make any sense to me.

The only shot SU has at having a successful season is to get off to a good start, which I think we all agree means 3-0/4-1. It's hard to imagine a scenario where SU is 4-1 but Hunt has played poorly enough for a serious discussion of sitting him to occur. So then when does he sit?

After we lose UVA and Pitt, and fall to 4-3? We're still on a potentially "successful" trajectory. In the midst of the gauntlet of FSU, UL and Clemson? So if we emerge from that 4-6 and needing to beat NC State and BC to get to a bowl, would we be pulling/have pulled Hunt?

Put it this way, if we're seriously discussing benching Hunt at any point this season then we're sunk. And at that point I honestly don't care, they can play who they want.

 

[orange79]

Agree with this. If he's healthy, he's going to be on the field. He's the football version of Trevor Cooney.

Let's hope he hits more 7's than 3's

 

[donniesyracuse]

This debate doesn't make any sense to me.

The only shot SU has at having a successful season is to get off to a good start, which I think we all agree means 3-0/4-1. It's hard to imagine a scenario where SU is 4-1 but Hunt has played poorly enough for a serious discussion of sitting him to occur. So then when does he sit?

After we lose UVA and Pitt, and fall to 4-3? We're still on a potentially "successful" trajectory. In the midst of the gauntlet of FSU, UL and Clemson? So if we emerge from that 4-6 and needing to beat NC State and BC to get to a bowl, would we be pulling/have pulled Hunt?

Put it this way, if we're seriously discussing benching Hunt at any point this season then we're sunk. And at that point I honestly don't care, they can play who they want.

I think the team can still start 3 - 1 with Hunt performing badly.

 

[tipphill]

Barring an injury Hunt will be the man all season. As of right now he gives us the best chance to win every week and that's what this program needs right now.

maybe he has --or not-- i hope the hc has the guts to replace him if and when its judicious to do so

 

[TheCusian]

to that end, what if things 'slow down' for wilson?? its not like he completed 25% of his passes, he was over 50%. hes got the size and the arm strength, so...

Yep. If that's all QB play was he would be the starter. He throws a nice ball.

It's his decision making - esp under pressure - that makes him look like a career backup. IF it slows down, I might agree. But I have my doubts.

 

[tipphill]

Yep. If that's all QB play was he would be the starter. He throws a nice ball.

It's his decision making - esp under pressure - that makes him look like a career backup. IF it slows down, I might agree. But I have my doubts.

he throws a nice ball???

 

[TheCusian]

he throws a nice ball???

Wilson has a nice arm and throws a nice ball. You disagree?

 

[Rocco]

No one seems to have noticed that Wilson has made great strides this year in getting bigger and stronger. My bet is on him to be the main back up behind Hunt. Wilson has long been a pretty good passer.
Dungey will not be used unless Hunt and Wilson are both unavailable in my opinion, but next year may be a different story.
Long has been injured and probably will not see the feild this year unless we are in dire straights.

Wilson has made nice strides with getting stronger, but that doesn't mean a whole lot at QB. He is really ungood at reading coverages and the coaches would have a hard time trusting him with the ball.

At this point, I don't think they're overly worried about Dungey's redshirt. If they need another person to step up for Hunt, my money will be on him.